Archive

Baht opens at 33.16 per dollar on 1 Sep, with a 33.00–33.40 trading range expected Prachachat · Sep 1, 2026

The baht opened at 33.16 per USD, close to Friday's close of 33.18, with support at 33.00 and resistance at 33.40 for the next 24 hours. Analysts say the dollar is range-bound and markets are pricing higher-for-longer US rates, with the US non-farm payrolls report due Friday as the key event. For a business that imports or exports, keep quotes and FX-sensitive payments within this band for now and watch the US jobs data, which can move the baht. Foreign investors were net buyers of Thai bonds (THB 821m) and net sellers of Thai equities (THB 335m).

Oil prices rose sharply after renewed US-Iran strikes, and global bond markets extended their selloff (headline only; full article not available). For a Thai SME, watch diesel and fuel costs for delivery and production, and expect possible pressure on the baht and on borrowing rates. Review fuel surcharges and cash buffers this month.

Cabinet proposes 316bn baht in rail projects and 10bn baht flood insurance scheme for 20m households Prachachat · Sep 1, 2026

The cabinet's first off-site meeting in Songkhla put forward six rail double-track projects worth about 316bn baht, including Chumphon–Surat Thani and Hat Yai–Padang Besar, plus a proposed 10bn baht disaster insurance scheme from the contingency budget. The insurance would pay 10,000 baht within 7 days for qualifying floods, up to 100,000 baht for house damage, and 2m baht for flood deaths. These are proposals, not approved spending. For southern SMEs, watch for construction and logistics demand along the rail corridors, and check whether your premises are covered once the scheme is finalised.

Scam losses hit 9.3 billion baht in seven months, so small online sellers need to show verifiable store details Prachachat · Sep 1, 2026

Anti-scam centre data for January to July shows 190,000+ cases and about 9.3 billion baht in losses, with online shopping fraud the largest category at about 73% of cases. SCB EIC's consumer survey found buyers trust large platforms and brand channels more, and choose small shops based on verifiable store details, operating history and reviews. For a small online seller, that means complete contact and store information, clear return and refund terms, and checkable reviews. Platform store badges also help build trust. Buyers who were scammed often say fixes were slow, so a clear complaint process matters.

Diesel B7 at 38.39 baht and B20 at 33.39 baht on 1 Sep: check your fleet fuel budget Prachachat · Sep 1, 2026

Bangchak's reference prices for 1 Sep 2026: B20 diesel 33.39 baht/litre (up 0.85 baht from the previous day), high-diesel S 38.39, Gasohol 95 37.69, Gasohol 91 37.32, E20 32.69. Prices exclude the Bangkok local land tax and take effect at 05:00 the next day, so confirm at your station. For businesses running delivery vehicles or generators, the B20 vs B7 gap of about 5 baht/litre is worth checking against your fuel purchasing. Prices can move daily, so re-check your budget regularly.

Officials propose E20 replace gasohol 91 as the standard fuel Bangkok Post · Sep 1, 2026

The Department of Energy Business will ask the government to consider making E20 the primary fuel in place of gasohol 91, so only E20 and E95 would be sold at stations. Current E20 use is low, at 5.88 million litres a day (about 18% of gasoline use). If you run a fleet, delivery vehicles or a workshop, check that your vehicles are E20-compatible. The DOEB has published a database of compatible car and motorcycle models. This is a proposal, not yet a decision.

Chanthaburi reservoir protest could delay irrigation water and EEC supply plans Bangkok Post · Sep 1, 2026

The cabinet approved a 7.2-billion-baht Khlong Wang Tanot reservoir in Chanthaburi on Aug 5, to be built over 2027-2033 and to irrigate about 87,700 rai of farmland. Residents plan a rally at the provincial hall on Sept 13 over forest loss (about 12,000 rai, including parts of Khao Sip Ha Chan National Park). The Royal Irrigation Department says the impact assessment passed review. For Chanthaburi farmers and EEC-linked businesses, the project is years away, but water allocation and possible review or delay are open questions to watch.

Huai Khwang police sweep entertainment venues over nominee and illegal-worker checks Bangkok Post · Sep 1, 2026

Police in Huai Khwang launched a crackdown on high-risk entertainment venues, karaoke bars and suspected nominee businesses, checking licences, IDs, passports, drug tests and illegal migrant workers. Police said legitimate operators were not the target, and no violations were found at the venues checked. 577 Club stays closed under an order from Aug 29. If you run a venue or hire foreign staff in Bangkok, keep licences, work permits and staff documents ready for inspection, and make sure your ownership arrangements are genuine rather than nominee-based.

Heavy rain warning across upper Thailand through tomorrow: flash-flood risk in the North, Central Plains, Northeast and East Bangkok Post · Sep 1, 2026

The Meteorological Department warned of heavy to very heavy rain across upper Thailand through tomorrow, with flash-flood risk in the foothills, near waterways and in low-lying areas. Authorities say 22 medium and small reservoirs are over capacity and are releasing water. If your shop, warehouse or stock sits in a low-lying or flood-prone spot, move stock up and check pumps and drainage now. Plan for delivery delays on flooded routes. Small boats should stay ashore in the Andaman Sea, where waves are 2-3 metres.

Consumer council calls for tighter building permit and inspection checks after Khlong Thom Center fire Prachachat · Aug 31, 2026

After the fire at Khlong Thom Center (a building over 10,000 sq m with many crowded shops), the Consumer Council is asking authorities to check how the building was permitted, whether it was built and used as approved, and whether its steel structure had fire protection. It proposes separating the approver and the inspector roles and bringing in professional councils to scan tall buildings nationwide. This is a proposal, not a new rule yet. For a shop or building owner, expect stricter inspections of fire protection, exits, and whether your use matches your approved plan.

Korat Expo 2029 may move from Khong to Pak Chong, shifting construction and visitor spending Prachachat · Aug 31, 2026

The Cabinet is due to consider on 1 September 2026 whether to move the Korat horticultural expo site from Khong to Pak Chong, after a Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council study. Pak Chong has about 800 rai of Livestock Department land beside Friendship Road and M6, with infrastructure already in place; the state would need about 4,000 million baht more. Khong would need about 6,000 million baht of extra infrastructure, roughly 10,000 million baht in total with the event budget, but would spread income to more Isan provinces. If you run a business in Khong or nearby, check whether construction, lodging or food plans depend on the Khong site before committing spending or staff.

E20 gasoline is now backed by carmakers and oil dealers, and the government will publish which models run on it The Standard Wealth · Aug 31, 2026

13 car brands, 5 motorcycle brands and 7 oil marketers back E20 (gasohol with 20% ethanol). The Department of Business Energy says about 4 million cars and roughly 80% of motorcycles can use E20, but E20 sales average only 5.88 million litres a day, about 18% of benzine use. Officials say Thailand has 28 ethanol plants producing about 7 million litres a day, with room for 3-4 million more. Oil dealers plan discount and promotion campaigns for E20 buyers. Check whether your vehicles are on the government list. If you run a fleet or deliver fuel, E20 promotions and pricing may shift which fuel your drivers buy. The article gives no E20 price or the promotion dates.

Sansiri says Thai property stays tough in H2 2026, with mid-sized developers at risk The Standard Wealth · Aug 31, 2026

Sansiri, a listed developer, expects the property market to stay challenging in H2 2026. Transfer counts are flat but total value has fallen, and resale now takes about two-thirds of transfers. Sales figures are unreliable because developers use different tactics such as low down payments and free-rent promotions. Condos near jobs and schools, and detached houses around 10 million baht, are still selling. Rising energy costs will squeeze profits, and smaller developers face more trouble. If you supply or contract for property, expect tighter cash and more price-sensitive buyers.

Debsirin Nonthaburi School resumes classes with a year of mental health support in place Bangkok Post · Aug 31, 2026

A 14-year-old's shooting at Debsirin Nonthaburi School on Aug 7 killed nine people, including five teachers. On-site classes resume on Tuesday. The Department of Mental Health is running counselling for about 200 affected students, about 220 staff, and families for up to a year, and about 60 high-risk students are under close watch. For most small business owners this is background; the only practical point is that nearby parents and schools may be more sensitive for a while.

Nonthaburi school reopens with a year of mental health support for students and staff Bangkok Post · Aug 31, 2026

Debsirin Nonthaburi School resumed on-site classes after the 7 August shooting that killed nine people. The Department of Mental Health has set up a support centre for the first week, with about 80 staff and psychologists, and plans support for up to a year. About 60 students are rated high risk and are being monitored. For a Thai business owner there is little direct action here; it is a human-interest story about a tragedy, with the main practical signal being that schools and parents may need counselling resources. No change to costs, rules or planning is implied.

Songkhla chamber asks cabinet for 25bn baht soft loans for flood-hit firms The Standard Wealth · Aug 31, 2026

The Songkhla Chamber of Commerce has proposed four measures to the cabinet. The main one is a soft loan of 25bn baht, up to 40m baht per firm, at 0% for the first 6 months and 1.5% over 5 years, with SME Guarantee Corp (บสย.) guarantees and fee waivers. It is only a proposal, not yet approved. Flood-hit Songkhla firms should check their eligibility and prepare documents if it is approved. Also note the chamber's view that insurance claims have been low compared with actual losses. Separately, the Songkhla deep-sea port's channel (about 7m deep, needs 9m+) is a proposed upgrade, which could cut logistics costs for exporters later.

Government proposes 10 billion baht disaster insurance for households, paying up to 100,000 baht for house damage Prachachat · Aug 31, 2026

The Finance Ministry, the Disaster Prevention Department and the insurance regulator plan to propose a 10,000-million-baht disaster insurance scheme from the central contingency budget, covering about 20 million households. Flood payouts would be 10,000 baht within 7 days, house damage up to 100,000 baht per household, and 2 million baht per death. The scheme is still a proposal, so no change applies to your business yet. Watch for whether commercial or SME property policies are affected, and check your own flood and property cover in the meantime.

Government eyes cutting rooftop solar subsidy size to 3 kW, with 30,000–50,000 baht per household under review The Standard Wealth · Aug 31, 2026

The Finance Ministry's debt office says the household rooftop solar subsidy is still being reworked. The draft offers 50,000 baht for a 5 kW system, but the subsidy could shrink to 3 kW with 30,000–50,000 baht per house, and the 1 million household target is also under review. The 3 kW option would bring break-even down for smaller homes, which the article says need about 3,000 baht a month in electricity use to justify 5 kW. No final rates or application dates are set. Owners of solar installers or homes considering panels should wait for the committee's decision, expected at a meeting soon, and the project submission deadline of 30 September 2026 for agencies.

Rooftop solar subsidy may shrink to 3 kW homes, with plan deadline 30 Sep Prachachat · Aug 31, 2026

The Finance Ministry's debt office says the proposed household rooftop solar subsidy (first set at 50,000 baht for 5 kW) may be cut to a 3 kW system worth about 30,000-50,000 baht. The plan is still under review, and the 1 million household target is being reset. Proposals are due by 30 Sep 2026, with about 15 days of review after that, and approval is not guaranteed. If you install or sell rooftop solar, watch the spec and subsidy changes and the vendor list. Electricity use should be about 3,000 baht a month or more for 5 kW to pay off, and the project must be completed and paid out by 31 Dec 2027.

BOT says July growth rests on AI-driven exports and tourism recovery, with inflation easing to 1.95% Prachachat · Aug 31, 2026

The Bank of Thailand says July's economic recovery was driven by global AI-linked electronics exports (up 22.3% y/y) and foreign tourist arrivals (up 7.6%). Headline inflation fell to 1.95% from 2.42% on lower energy prices, while core inflation rose to 1.34% as food makers passed on costs. The baht weakened in July then firmed on average in August, with data to 25 August. Watch five risks: the AI cycle, trade wars, government stimulus, tourism recovery and El Niño, which should become clearer in Q4 2026 into Q1 2027. Household consumption is still uneven, so plan cautiously on demand. The BOT also says Japanification risk exists but the causes differ from Japan's.